Instagram Reportedly Blocked in Mainland China on Heels of Massive Hong Kong Protests

Alan Wong, who's been live tweeting for the New York Times at the tumultuous protests in Hong Kong since Sept. 26, posted an eye-opening screengrab on his Twitter feed Sunday:

Instagram is now blocked in mainland China. Because Hong Kong? pic.twitter.com/GSw7bGkvla

— Alan Wong (@byAlanWong) September 28, 2014

"Instagram is now blocked in mainland China," Wong wrote. "Because Hong Kong?"

The shutdown of the popular photo-sharing service would presumably keep images of the protests off electronic devices of Instagram users on the mainland.

Many of the photos were labeled with the hashtag “Occupy Central,” which was blocked Sunday on Weibo, China’s version of Twitter, re/code reported, adding that the hashtag had been allowed earlier in the day.

Police used tear gas on Sunday to try to clear thousands of pro-democracy protesters who had gathered outside government headquarters in a challenge to Beijing over its decision to restrict democratic reforms for the city.

Here are some images and video of what's been happening lately:

Pro-democracy protesters block off Nathan Road, a major route through the heart of the Kowloon district of Hong Kong on September 29, 2014. Police fired tear gas as tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators brought parts of central Hong Kong to a standstill on September 28, in a dramatic escalation of protests that have gripped the semi-autonomous Chinese city for days. (Image source: AFP/Alex Ogle/Getty Images)

Pro-democracy protesters rest around empty buses as they block off Nathan Road, a major route through the heart of the Kowloon district of Hong Kong, on September 29, 2014. (Image source: AFP/Alex Ogle/Getty Images)

Protesters rest following pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong on September 29, 2014. (Image source: AFP/Xaume Olleros/Getty Images)

Demonstrators disperse as tear gas is fired by police during a protest on September 29, 2014 in Hong Kong. (Image source: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images)

Pro-democracy protesters put their hands up in the air in front of the police in Hong Kong on September 28, 2014. (Image source: AFP/Alex Ogle/Getty Images)

And a news report:

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

(H/T: Weasel Zippers)